November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
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Here is a product review of the EDN hyaluronic acid whitening hydromask. This is one of the prizes I'm giving away in my blog giveaway (ends Dec. 10th, 2011). I was going to review this a while ago but forgot!
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Claims:
1. Delivers intensive hydration to skin / maximize cellular moisture levels
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2. Inhibits formation of melanin
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3. Renews skin's radiance and translucency.
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.Claim # 1
Oh, yes! This mask really helps out with hydration! I've been using it for quite a while (don't worry! I have more for the giveaway!) and every time it feels like my skin got rejuvenated or dunked in hydration. The most recent example was this week in Chicago. I used it at night and only put one other moisturizer on top and went to sleep. When I woke up my skin was not super oily but was hydrated to the point my fine lines were plumped out!
.Claim # 2
Not completely sure if my age spots are fading but it seems this mask is like a speed bump in the darkening and enlarging of current age spots. I haven't noticed any new ones popping up.
.Claim # 3
Oh, yes! If only every product does what this does, the skincare industry would be total different! Every single time I use this it's like my skin got 10 years younger! Basically, skin is firmer, brighter and whiter.
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One other thing I love about this is that its very cooling. Even in a heated room, it feels cool on the skin and tightens up my pores.
.Verdict
YES! This is a must have for anyone who is concerned with anti-aging and whitening!
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Thanks for reading and have a happy and safe holiday!

November 22, 2011

My aunt in Taiwan introduced me to Sisley a couple years ago. At the time (in my early 20s) I was pretty clueless and didn't appreciate this brand at all.

Now, nearly a decade later, I want to make Sisley part of my skincare routine.

When I went to Taiwan this past September, my aunt was saying that she used this product for her hands and she suggested that I do the same if I were in the habit of washing dishes without gloves.

So, I started using this yesterday when I was in Los Angeles, then on the plane, and now in Chicago. First of all, let me preface that WHERE you are has a big deal to do with the efficacy of products. Let me tell you my impressions.

Los Angeles

This moisturized my hands just right! My skin didn't feel dry and even started to look less weathered. I'd put this on once and my skin would be good until I washed my hands, and then I'd have to reapply one more time.

Chicago

It seems too light! Chicago is a full 20 degrees colder than LA and the heaters suck out all the moisture from my skin. I've been sitting at my desk in my heated office and I've had to apply this on 4 times already and my skin still feels it could use more.

I'm sure that this product can also be used on the face but I don't think I'll have enough to use on the my face at the rate that I'm using it on my hands. If only used as a hand moisturizer I can't justify repurchasing this product because cheaper products (Vaseline, jojoba oil, any heel cream) will work just as well. If I'm lucky enough to get another sample, I'll use it on my face and update this post with how this product works on facial skin.

November 13, 2011

If you've been following my recent posts, you'll know that I'm going through a rough time in my skincare. I've been getting plenty of skin problems and while I could gripe about them all, I want to make this as positive as I can. When my skin is in distress, I always fall back on simple and natural products to help get me through the dark times. I personally believe that the less this-and-thats in a product I use, the faster my skin will calm down so I can go back to using the fancy-shmancy stuff. :-P The following are my Comfort Skincare Products that I fall back on, just like comfort foods (mac 'n cheese, cheesy mashed potatoes, alfredo fetuccini, and broccoli 'n cheddar soup).

And now, my Comfort Skincare Products!

1. Jojoba OilThis is one of the most economic products I've ever used that covers what I need for skincare. It moisturizes and removes makeup. It doesn't leave a greasy film on my skin and makes my skin feel soft, soothed, and smooth. And, it has only one ingredient: jojoba oil! At the changing of the seasons, I get rashes on my body that are so dry and bumpy. Using jojoba oil after every shower is saving my skin from months of itchiness, dryness, and skin discolorations. I have used this on my face.... NO ZITS! *thumbs up!*

2. Egyptian MagicI can't believe I haven't done a post on Egyptian Magic yet. Never fear, I will get it done! I come back to this product again and again to help reinforce the jojoba oil when I'm out and about, doing things, or at work. It absorbs into my skin a little more easily than Vaseline. This stuff softens and moisturizes my skin so wonderfully, I can't go without it. I like to think of Egyptian Magic as the supplement to Jojoba oil. On the grand scale of moisturizing staying power, this is how I see it:(most easily absorbed) Jojoba oil ------> Egyptian Magic ---------> Vaseline (sits on my skin)

3. VaselineVaseline represents the "big guns" in my collection of heavy duty moisturizers. I don't know about most women, but I wash dishes without gloves (anti-slip and anti-breakage) and that means my hands get so uncomfortably dry. I don't think regular lotion does much for my hands. I use Vaseline daily for my lips, and I use it at night on my hands. Sometimes I use it on my heels. Usually, if I'm faithful to using this at night, whatever skin problems I'm having with dryness and itchiness gets solved in a week. During the coldest days and nights of the year, I use Vaseline because it doesn't absorb into my skin and therefore provides the much needed barrier between my skin and cold, dry air.

4. Witchhazel extractMove aside expensive toners! Step aside Proactiv toner! Witchhazel is one of the best toner-type products I've used when my skin is acting up. It has one ingredient: witchhazel! It can grab onto a lot more residual makeup than some of my upper-end cleansing waters and it doesn't contain anything that aggravates my skin. The natural alcohol in it cools as it cleans so I always feel better and refreshed after. It's pretty affordable so I don't mind using as much as I want or as little as I want, and I certainly don't mind mixing it with other ingredients like aspirin or essential oils.

5. Johnson's baby washI really love this one. This must be the 5th or 6th time I've linked the Johnson's Head-to-Toe Baby Wash. This is super gentle. Mr. P, who suffers a little from eczema around his mouth, uses this with no additional aggravation to his condition. I use it because it takes off all my makeup without prior wiping and makeup removal.

6. Wash cloth and hot waterWhen I was a little girl, my mom would take a clean wash cloth and run it under warm/hot water. She'd wring it out and wipe my face with it. And that was the extent of my skincare when I was little. I turn to this when I'm having a breakout and want to avoid having my skin soak up ingredients. A hot towel on my face feels soooooooo comforting (spa-like) on my face before I start wiping, which provides very gentle yet effective exfoliation. And besides, this costs $0.00. How's that for fellow recessionists?

Sorry if my praising these products is repetitious. These products have got me through good and bad times without costing me a fortune. I'm not saying that these are low-cost alternatives to expensive items. I'm just saying that these are solutions for my skincare needs that just happen to be low-cost. If I find a high-end product that meets any specific need or that I reach for time and time again, I will definitely update here.

November 10, 2011

Halo! I have to say that despite the pain Proactiv is putting me through, something is working! I do have a lot less of whatever I have: acne, hyperpigmentation, and face fat. Read about face fat in my Fitness page.

I was getting ready for work this morning and ended up liking this look I did. It's my version of a smokey eye for monolids. I didn't curl my lashes (too lazy) but it still ended up looking nice. I have to say that I'm really thrilled my skin seems so pale right now! I'm sure it's not the Missha because that is only slightly darker than my natural skin tone. So, maybe what I'm using after the Proactiv is also working! Imagine that!

Okay, well, I won't drone on and on about what I'm using. I'll save that for the reviews. I will, however, show you what I used for this look!